The rugged edge of the wild Pacific

Ucluelet Harbour and Barkley Sound, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, offer paddlers a diverse and captivating experience. The harbour’s calm, sheltered waters are ideal for leisurely exploration, providing opportunities to observe wildlife such as seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and even black bears along the shoreline. Venturing into Barkley Sound reveals a stunning array of over 100 islands and islets, including the renowned Broken Group Islands, characterized by rugged coastlines, secluded coves, and pristine beaches. Paddlers can navigate through kelp forests and intertidal zones teeming with marine life, all while enjoying panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding landscapes. This combination of serene harbour waters and the expansive beauty of Barkley Sound makes the region a premier destination for kayakers and paddleboarders seeking both tranquility and adventure.

  • Waterway AreaWest Coast Vancouver Island
  • Geographic SizeArchipelago of islands
  • Difficulty LevelClass III (Intermediate)
  • Type of PaddlingKayak, Rafting
  • SeasonFall, Spring, Summer
  • Waterway AccessUcluelet small craft harbour
  • Waterway FeaturesGray whales and sea lions
  • Known HazardsExposed swells and dense fog
  • Waterway AccessUcluelet small craft harbour
  • Waterway FeaturesGray whales and sea lions
  • Known HazardsExposed swells and dense fog
  • Waterway AreaWest Coast Vancouver Island
  • Geographic SizeArchipelago of islands
  • Difficulty LevelClass III (Intermediate)
  • Type of PaddlingKayak, Rafting
  • SeasonFall, Spring, Summer

Ucluelet Harbour and Barkely Sound

Ucluelet Aquarium

The Break Café and Bistro

So Damn Lucky Glamping

Foggy Bean Coffee Company

Relic Surf Shop and Surf School

Browse Listing

Terrace Beach

Wild Pacific Trail Loop

Project Partners


Paddle BC gratefully acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the 203 First Nations in British Columbia.

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